Winner of 10 Grammy Awards, Carlos Santana, who recently brought the house down on his maiden tour to India, is one of the few living legends in music.

Winner of 10 Grammy Awards, Carlos Santana, is one of the few living legends in music. He recently brought the house down on his maiden tour to India, an event that was organised by Vladivar Rock 'N India and Formula One Rocks. The two hours of spellbinding music left thousands of fans mesmerized.

Q. Your first tour in India, has it met your expectations?

A. I have been really excited about the India tour and I think has been a celebration of colours, cultures, and music. It was an epic event.

Q. You have worked with everyone who matters in the music world, from Eric Clapton to Cee Lo Green. How do you function in a so-called tight creative space?

A. We come together to complement each other and to make good music. There's is no competition. I don't go with an agenda to beat someone down; it's a synergy of creativity. My band and other artists who I have collaborated with also come with the same attitude.

Q. You're 65 years old and going stronger than ever. What is your secret?

A. When you kiss for the first time there's a surge of energy that you feel. That's because you experience it for the first time. I stay a virgin in my mind. That's how I can play Black Magic Woman for the millionth time and with the same energy.

Q. Has your relationship with your wife brought more to the table in this aspect?

A. Thank you for asking that. What I love about Cindy (Blackman) is that she doesn't need a man to define her. She's brave and in the two years that we have been married she's brought joy... and joy to me. She's a great musician and brings out the best in me.

Q. How is the Carlos Santana on stage any different from Carlos Santana in person?

A. As an artist I try to keep it focused, neat, and fresh. Up on the stage I definitely feel more energetic with the music and of course the crowd. In person, I am not that focused or energetic. Off stage, I am a normal guy. You can't be a personality 24X7.

Q. Your latest album Shape Shifter brings back the 'Classic Santana,' a departure from your recent albums which had a pop music influence.

A. It's not really a departure. As a musician, I need to explore more within me. Shape Shifter explores the genre of music to which I belong. I make music for the world and sometime I make music for myself. The album is just about a Mexican guy playing his guitar. This album is not much for the radio as it is for intimate listening.

Q. The 13 instrumental numbers in the album have been lying around in your vault since 1997. Why do you think this was the right time to bring them to the world?

A. I have worked with many artists from Supernatural on. But I kept hearing from people and from my heart that I need to do something more. Something that I'd love to do... just let the guitar do the talking.

Q. Over the years, music has changed. How does the new technology in music affect your sound?

A. Lot of people don't know how to play an instrument these days, they create the sound through a computer. Well, in that case anyone can be a musician. But to get a real understanding of a sound you need to know the instrument. I don't work for the technology, I make technology work for me.

Q. You clearly have a fetish for fedoras and dark suits, from where do you draw your fashion influence?

A. In fact, women are my fashion inspiration. I like women who are confident about who they are and are unapologetic about their sensuality.